Primary and Lower School Curriculum Guide 2020-21
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Primary and Lower School
Curriculum Guide
2020-21
MISSION STATEMENT
Viewpoint School is a welcoming, vibrant, and collaborative community
that offers a challenging and enriched college preparatory education in
a nurturing environment for students in Kindergarten through Twelfth
Grade. The School embraces students and families from diverse cultures
of the world and teaches the history and wisdom of these traditions.
Viewpoint inspires a love of learning and develops those qualities which
provide strength and direction for a lifetime. The School promotes among
its student’s respect, integrity, responsibility, and optimism.
The School celebrates its love of country by commemorating our nation’s
holidays and honoring its finest traditions. Viewpoint affirms in its as-
semblies and programs the ethical principles inherent in all religions.
Viewpoint’s students learn the importance of service to others and to the
greater community with the expectation that this introduction becomes a
lifelong commitment.
Viewpoint recognizes the uniqueness of each child and is committed to
the preservation and development of that individuality.
LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
• Viewpoint’s graduates are literate in the humanities, mathematics,
science, technology, the arts, and a second language.
• Viewpoint’s graduates demonstrate useful physical skills, cooperative
teamwork, sportsmanship, and a lifelong interest in fitness and health.
• Viewpoint’s graduates demonstrate creative and critical thinking.
• Viewpoint’s graduates embody integrity, compassion, tolerance,
responsibility, discernment, and optimism.
• Viewpoint’s graduates develop excellent intellectual and
communication skills.
• The achievement of these expectations enables Viewpoint’s graduates
to be lifelong learners and productive, active citizens who serve their
communities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM 2
MONTHLY CHARACTER TRAITS 3
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING 3
GLOBAL STUDIES: MAKING CONNECTIONS 3
SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM 4
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY GRADE 6
KINDERGARTEN 6
FIRST GRADE 6
SECOND GRADE 6
THIRD GRADE 7
FOURTH GRADE 7
FIFTH GRADE 8
READING AND LITERATURE 9
LANGUAGE ARTS AND WRITING 11
MATHEMATICS 14
SOCIAL STUDIES 17
REFERENCE AND STUDY SKILLS 19
ART 20
LIBRARY 23
INNOVATION SPACE 24
TECHNOLOGY 24
MUSIC 26
FIFTH GRADE THE INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM 27
MUSIC - EXTENDED CURRICULUM 28
STRINGS STUDY 28
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 29
SCIENCE 30
WORLD LANGUAGE: FRENCH AND SPANISH 33
STUDENT LEARNING CENTER 35
ASSEMBLIES AND PERFORMANCES 36
ANNUAL PERFORMANCES 37
AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES 38
AFTER-SCHOOL CHORUS 38
AFTER-SCHOOL GENERAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM 38
STRINGS STUDY 38
SUMMER READING CLUB 39
KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FOURTH GRADE 39
SUMMER READING PROGRAM - FIFTH GRADE 39
ACCREDITATION 40
THE PRIMARY AND LOWER SCHOOLS
School Philosophy
Founded in 1961, Viewpoint School is a nondenominational, nonprofit
day school. Young people grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally
in the School’s nurturing environment. Viewpoint offers a challenging
academic program and enriching arts and athletic programs, emphasizing
excellence and achievement, while providing individualized attention.
The School provides its students with the proper balance of knowledge
and skills in critical thinking, while helping them to attain a healthy
sense of self- esteem. This blend allows our children to become successful
students in college and responsible adults capable of wise decision
making.
We believe in actively promoting ethical values among our students. We
teach a respect for the rights and feelings of others and instill a spirit of
community service in our students. Within this environment, students
learn to value individual differences and to appreciate the unique
contributions each person adds to Viewpoint’s diverse community.
At Viewpoint, we find that a sound education is a joint enterprise
involving the School and its faculty, our students, and their parents.
Together we generate an eagerness to learn, a willingness to work
diligently, and a desire to be active in the community. Students develop
fundamental skills, an understanding of subject matter, high standards for
their work, and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
PRIMARY AND LOWER SCHOOLS
Viewpoint’s Primary and Lower Schools provide a nurturing environment
to promote the positive social, emotional, physical, and intellectual
growth of young children. Our whole-child approach creates a secure
foundation that encourages children to develop important 21st Century
skills:
Critical thinking ~ Communication ~ Collaboration ~ Creativity ~ Innovation
1
The overall goal of the program for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
is to provide each child with a variety of learning experiences guided by
enthusiastic teachers who recognize that children grow in unique and
varying ways. The School’s culture encourages each student to strive
for a high level of academic achievement while gaining self-confidence.
Our experience has shown that initial appropriate placement is the key
to educational success; therefore, great care is taken to ascertain the
developmental readiness of each child.
Specialized classroom environments and trained teachers in art, world
languages, music, library, technology, innovation, physical education, and
science complement the core curriculum.
CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Viewpoint’s character education plants seeds of enthusiasm for building
positive relationships, understanding the value of our presence in
the world, and seeing ourselves as active, responsible participants in
our families, school, and community. The program offers a variety of
opportunities to teach and reinforce virtues. Each month, a different
character trait is presented in the classroom and at assembly to encourage
students to realize the benefit and value of an ethical and moral life. In
addition to the monthly character traits, we focus on kindness, empathy,
and trustworthiness.
In Primary School, the character education program includes class
discussions, books, and projects that help children to identify those
values that best define a moral society. Inspired by the book Have You
Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud, students in Primary School
learn the importance of making good choices that support others’
wellbeing, as well as their own.
In Lower School, stories and skits demonstrate thought processes and
actions that promote specified values. Discussions, literature, and projects
reinforce acts of kindness and character.
2
MONTHLY CHARACTER TRAITS
September—Friendship
October—Responsibility
November—Respect
December—Compassion
January—Empathy
February—Honesty
March—Courage
April—Respect for Environment
May—Loyalty
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Social and emotional learning is naturally integrated into the curriculum
at Viewpoint School. Primary and Lower School faculty are trained
in a specific approach to teaching called Responsive Classroom. The
Responsive Classroom approach consists of a set of practices that build
academic, social and emotional competencies. The program is developed
around specific guiding principles:
• The social and emotional curriculum is as important as the academic
curriculum.
• How children learn is as important as what they learn.
• Great cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.
• Knowing the children we teach – individually, culturally, and
developmentally – is as important as knowing the content we teach.
• How the faculty works together is as important as how they teach.
GLOBAL STUDIES: MAKING CONNECTIONS
Global Studies is an interdisciplinary educational program woven from
Kindergarten through Grade Twelve. It is designed to prepare students
with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives essential to thrive in the
interconnected world which is their future. The mission of Global Studies
is to:
• Create awareness of students’ places in the wider, diverse world.
• Cultivate students’ curiosities about the world and other cultures.
• Develop an age-appropriate understanding of world geography.
3
• Promote a sense of students’ worth and the worth of others.
• Introduce an understanding of social justice and moral responsibility.
• Lead to an appreciation of cultural similarities and differences.
SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
At Viewpoint, we are dedicated to the education of our students’ hearts
as well as their minds. We strive to develop both intelligence and
conscience. Community service helps students to explore their particular
talents and skills and to learn from others with experiences different from
their own. Goals of the program include:
• To teach the value of compassion and caring.
• To learn how to put ideas into action.
• To become more aware of society’s needs and of an individual’s
responsibility.
• To learn how one individual can be important to others.
• To gain personal experience and skills.
• To build self-esteem and self-reliance.
For our youngest children in Primary and Lower Schools, we seek to
instill a spirit of community service through age appropriate activities on
campus. Students sponsor and participate in activities that support such
organizations as the West Valley Food Pantry, UNICEF, Milk + Bookies,
Baby 2 Baby, and School on Wheels, as well as natural disaster relief. The
discussions and lessons that correspond with these activities enable our
youngest students to understand the needs of others while learning to
contribute to their community. The Pennies for a Purpose program in
the Primary School, encourages our community to collect pennies for the
purpose of helping children in need. Our annual donations demonstrate
that even the smallest denomination in our currency, much like the
smallest students, can make a significant difference in our community
as well as the world. Additionally, Primary School students actively
participate and contribute to service activities that are sponsored in the
other three divisions in our School.
In Lower School, the Student Action Committee provides students with
the opportunity to practice leadership skills while performing service
activities on Viewpoint’s campus. Students in Third and Fourth Grades
serve as Lower School Student Action Committee representatives.
4
Some of their responsibilities include: participating in projects that
help beautify the Primary and Lower School grounds, raising funds for
charities, collecting food and toys for the West Valley Food Pantry, and
collecting gently used books for schools in need.
Fifth Graders complete a mathematics unit where they create their own
businesses, conduct a campus sale over several days, and then collect
their business proceeds to make a charitable contribution. As a whole,
the class nominates and then votes on which charity should receive
their businesses’ collective profits. Fifth Grade classes annually present
contributions of several thousand dollars to organizations that have
included the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, Make a
Wish Foundation, the Heart Fund, and City of Hope.
Baby2Baby - Hour of Giving
Fifth Grade Sales Primary School Pennies for a Purpose
CURRICULUM SEQUENCE AND INTEGRATION
Within each grade level in Primary and Lower Schools, teachers
collaborate to reinforce academic concepts in an interdisciplinary way to
ensure connections between the tangible and abstract. For example, art
teachers reinforce geometric concepts, while music and world language
teachers attune the children’s ears to variations in pitch, sound, and
pronunciation. By reinforcing aspects of ideas in several different ways,
students comprehend information as a whole concept.
5
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY GRADE
Primary School (K-2) Lower School (3-5)
KINDERGARTEN
• Introduces and develops academic skills in reading, language arts,
printing, writing, and arithmetic.
• Presents new concepts sequentially and encourages critical thinking
skills.
• Integrates technology such as iPads and interactive white boards to
provide enriched learning and individualized application.
• Provides hands-on activities to help students grasp and apply basic
concepts.
• Enriches and reinforces skills and provides differentiated instruction
through the use of learning centers, or small group teaching.
FIRST GRADE
• Promotes fluency and confidence in reading.
• Introduces a variety of writing techniques.
• Uses math manipulatives to reinforce basic skills, with an emphasis
on number relationships, computation through 20, and problem
solving.
• Integrates technology such as iPads, MacBooks, and interactive white
boards to provide enriched learning and individualized application.
• Encourages independent work through the use of differentiated
instruction, small group teaching, and learning centers.
SECOND GRADE
• Introduces and reinforces concepts while preparing students for the
independence required for success in Lower School.
• Encourages more sophisticated independent work, following a
directed whole class or small group lesson.
• Expects students to know addition and subtraction facts to 18 and
multiplication and division facts through the five tables.
• Uses the D’Nealian method as a precursor to cursive writing.
6
• Introduces students to paragraph structure through expository and
creative writing.
• Integrates technology such as iPads, Macbooks, and interactive white
boards to provide enriched learning and individualized application.
• Promotes organization by having students begin to use a daily log
to practice new concepts, record information, and keep track of
homework.
• The students also conduct group work assignments across various
subject areas building a continent report.
• Culminates with the Primary School Final Assembly, Rainbow of
Character.
THIRD GRADE
• Focuses on growing independence, responsibility, organizational
skills, study skills, and work habits.
• Promotes mastery of the basic facts of multiplication and division.
• Develops language arts skills, with the continued study of the formal
paragraph.
• Presents a more sophisticated and sequential social studies program
that teaches reference and research skills; utilizes a variety of
resources, including historical information and the writing process.
• Integrates technology to cultivate innovation and creativity.
FOURTH GRADE
• Provides more in depth studies, with a focus on acquiring knowledge
with an enriched math, social studies, and language arts curriculum,
and specialized math, reading, and language arts teachers.
• Emphasizes the development of responsibility, self reliance, and
organization.
• Encourages students to think critically and work independently on
academic projects as well as projects that highlight imagination and
inventiveness.
• Introduces a variety of writing strategies.
• Uses math manipulative’s, puzzles, games, collaboration with peers,
and direct instruction to reinforce higher level math skills, with an
emphasis on problem solving and math diagramming and modeling.
7• Integrates technology such as iPads, MacBooks, and interactive white
boards, providing enriched, interactive, and individualized learning
that promotes creativity and innovation.
FIFTH GRADE
• Supports and encourages students to become more independent in
the preparation and completion of their assignments.
• Provides more challenging and comprehensive work, including long
term assignments to foster time management skills.
• Encourages in depth mathematical concepts and writing techniques.
• Develops and implements study habits so students become more
efficient and successful in their academics.
• Integrates technology to cultivate innovation and creativity.
• Culminates with a three-day trip to Astrocamp and presentation of
Lower School Final Assembly.
• Prepares students for Middle School while providing guidance and
security that young adolescents need.
8READING AND LITERATURE
KINDERGARTEN
• Focuses on phonetic and decoding skills.
• Promotes vocabulary development and comprehension using a wide
variety of resources, strategies, and activities to develop students’
reading skills.
• Incorporates reading materials that challenge students based on
individual reading ability.
FIRST GRADE
• Emphasizes fluency, oral expression, choral reading, and vocabulary
development through the use of leveled books specifically designed
for each student’s instructional reading abilities.
• Focuses on comprehension, response to factual and interpretive
questions, sequencing, predicting, and main idea. All at the student’s
independent level.
• Incorporates core literature selections through read aloud to further
develop comprehension, vocabulary, and a love of reading.
SECOND GRADE
• Expands word attack skills for greater fluency and expression.
• Continues to build literacy skills at students’ independent level.
• Emphasizes comprehension, inference, cause and effect, and critical
thinking in discussions and written assignments.
• Incorporates integrated cross-curricular language units through
children’s literature.
THIRD GRADE
• Emphasizes the interaction between readers and text in Reader’s
Workshop.
• Concentrates on development of vocabulary and comprehension.
• Teaches students to make comparisons and write descriptions.
• Practices both silent and oral reading fluency.
• Strengthens comprehension skills and further develops critical
thinking, sequencing, main idea, inference, and content through
discussion and written work.
9• Stresses vocabulary development, plot, and character analysis
through class discussion, dramatization, written assignments, and
peer and teacher conferences.
• Promotes a love of reading through independent reading.
• Focuses on the theme of friendship.
• Includes Charlotte’s Web, The BFG, The Hundred Dresses, and Love
That Dog; a variety of fables, and nonfiction texts.
FOURTH GRADE
• Emphasizes vocabulary development, comprehension skills, and
critical thinking skills.
• Enhances student understanding of plot, setting, characters, theme,
author’s purpose, and a variety of literary forms and styles.
• Utilizes various reading strategies to help make reading fiction and
nonfiction more meaningful.
• Promotes a love of reading through independent reading.
• Focuses on theme of courage.
• Texts include Because of Winn-Dixie, Island of the Blue Dolphins,
nonfiction texts, selections about Civil Rights, poetry selections, and
a Newbery Award-winning book of the students’ choice.
FIFTH GRADE
• Develops vocabulary while students focus on literal, inferential, and
critical comprehension skills.
• Improves reference, study, and content reading skills, as well as
literary proficiency.
• Develops critical reading skills while focusing on theme, point of
view, characterization, types of conflict, and use of literary devices.
• Promotes a love of reading through independent reading.
• Focuses on the theme of tolerance.
• Includes short stories and poetry, as well as books like The Cay,
Maniac Magee, The Giver, Stargirl, and books of students’ choice.
• Connects students reading through reading journals, character
analyses, poetry inspired by novels, and text exploration.
• Utilizes collaborative work groups to explore author’s crafts:
characterization, theme, plot, conflict/resolution, and mood.
10LANGUAGE ARTS AND WRITING
KINDERGARTEN
• Students explore spelling in an introductory word study program.
• Teaches beginning writing skills including, capitalization, and
punctuation.
• Through the use of prompts, students dictate, write, and illustrate
age-appropriate stories.
FIRST GRADE
• Teaches letter combinations that constitute consonant blends,
digraphs, and diphthongs through the use of individualized weekly
word study.
• Explains and promotes correct grammar skills through teaching parts
of speech and correct usage.
• Teaches paragraph development, which focuses on ideas,
organization, word choice, voice, conventions, and sentence fluency.
• Provides many opportunities to write stories with beginning, middle,
and end.
• Promotes pre-writing activities, composing a draft, editing, revising,
and publishing a final project in a variety of ways, including the use of
digital tools.
11SECOND GRADE
• Strengthen spelling proficiency through in class word study.
• Teaches parts of speech and proper use of punctuation and
capitalization.
• Promotes answering questions and paraphrasing in complete
sentences.
• Refines writing skills, including a topic sentence, supporting details,
and a conclusion.
• Provides writing prompts for poetry, narratives, expository writing,
and research reports.
• Integrates technology for creative use during the writing process.
THIRD GRADE
• Utilizes Writers’ Workshop to develop independent writing
confidence.
• Emphasizes homophones, contractions, syllabification, prefixes and
suffixes, and singular and plural possessive nouns.
• Teaches varied syntax: parts of a paragraph, topic and concluding
sentences, examples, details, main idea, and sentence patterns.
• Defines and identifies the parts of a sentence and parts of speech.
• Focuses on past and present verb tenses, and practices composition
skills through fables, poetry, descriptive writing, letter writing,
expository writing, journal writing, and short stories.
• Guides student use of a dictionary and thesaurus.
FOURTH GRADE
• Highlights the writing process while incorporating pre writing, first
draft, rewriting, editing, and publication.
• Teaches personal essays, persuasive essays, realistic fiction stories,
literary essays, and poetry.
• Focuses on parts of speech and their usage, parts of a sentence,
including subject, predicate, and prepositional phrases, as well as
correct capitalization and punctuation.
• Emphasizes spelling across the curriculum and integrates it into
writing through use of a spelling workbook.
12FIFTH GRADE
• Continues to concentrate on the writing process.
• Reviews parts of speech, sentence types and structures, and writing
mechanics, and reinforces these concepts through application.
• Hones student writing skills while focusing on topic sentences,
supporting details, transitions, proofreading, revision, and typing
final drafts using word processing programs.
• Breaks down methods used by authors and then applies these
techniques to a variety of creative and critical writing assignments.
• Develops students’ unique voices in a variety of written activities.
• Includes various types of writing styles: narrative, opinion,
persuasive, expository, and poetry.
• Emphasizes spelling across the curriculum and continues to teach
structure through the use of a spelling workbook.
13MATHEMATICS
In the Primary and Lower Grades, Viewpoint utilizes the highly
successful Singapore Math program. Singapore Math centers on in depth
understanding with a strong emphasis on model drawing and problem
solving. Concepts presented in the program move from the concrete to
pictorial to the abstract. Many other resources are used to extend and
enrich lessons and activities.
The program is designed systemically and sequentially to help students
reason logically, think critically, develop a strong understanding of
number relationships, and use mathematical techniques and strategies
effectively.
KINDERGARTEN
• Demonstrates mathematical connections with hands on activities that
provide experiences from the concrete to the pictorial, and then to
the abstract.
• Emphasizes mental math exercises, problem solving skills, and
number relationships.
• Integrates technology for students to apply and review concepts, and
to create opportunities to work at individual ability levels.
• Teaches the concepts: classification and patterns, addition and
subtraction to 10, counting, and number recognition to 100.
• Introduces place value, identification of basic shapes, simple
measurement, calendar skills, telling time, and identifying coins.
iPad integration with Kindergarten
14FIRST GRADE
• Teaches place value and number order from 1 to 100, addition and
subtraction, telling time, graphing, fractions, and counting money.
• Introduces multiplication and division.
• Focuses on number sense, problem solving, and critical thinking
skills.
• Uses blended learning by integrating technology across the
curriculum, giving students the opportunity to apply and review
skills, and work at individual ability levels.
SECOND GRADE
• Directs lessons employing hands on activities and games for students
to strengthen skills.
• Demonstrates and provides opportunities to use skills in solving
word problems.
• Masters addition and subtraction facts to 18.
• Focuses on place value in teaching multi digit addition and
subtraction, including regrouping.
• Emphasizes multiplication and division facts through the 5 tables.
• Reviews fractions, graphs, time, and money.
• Utilizes mental math exercises and problem solving skills using
multiple strategies as an integral part of the curriculum.
• Uses blended learning by integrating technology across the
curriculum, giving students the opportunity to apply and review
skills, and work at individual ability levels.
THIRD GRADE
• Focuses on place value and order to one hundred thousand, and
teaches multi-digit addition and subtraction.
• Develops mastery of multiplication and division tables one to 12, and
long division with single digit divisors.
• Focuses on application of word problems (four operations) using
model drawing techniques, time, and fractions.
• Provides experience in geometry, measurement, mental math, four
digit by one digit multiplication, area and perimeter, and probability.
• Emphasizes problem solving and development of critical thinking
skills.
15FOURTH GRADE
• Focuses on place value and order to one hundred million, rounding
and estimation, and three-place multiplication and division using one
digit divisors and multiple dividends.
• Teaches averaging, factors and multiples, equal fractions and
comparison, addition and subtraction of fractions, the four
operations with decimals, and geometry.
• Develops algebra readiness, adding, subtracting, and converting
measurement, graphing, simple application of ratio, and probability
and statistics.
• Integrates mental math exercises and word problems with multiple
steps.
• Emphasizes problem solving techniques using model drawing
strategies.
FIFTH GRADE
• Reviews all whole number operations and word problems.
• Introduces order of operations, whole number properties, greatest
common factor and least common multiple, and prime factorization.
• Incorporates the use of four operations with fractions, mixed
numbers, decimals, ratios, and application word problems.
• Teaches metric and standard measurement and conversion,
angles and protractor use, perimeter and area of polygons, angle
measurement of polygons, application of geometry, volume of prisms,
and construction of graphs.
• Highlights mental math exercises and problem solving skills through
the use of model drawing techniques.
• Provides opportunities to write mathematical explanations that
connect to real-world experiences.
16SOCIAL STUDIES
KINDERGARTEN
• Focuses on families, holidays, community helpers, seasons, and
beginning map skills.
• Highlights the richness and diversity of different cultures through our
global education program.
• Students engage in a variety of subjects through the use of Scholastic
Digital Magazines.
FIRST GRADE
• Holidays, including history and traditions.
• Focuses on the cultures of a variety of countries while interpreting
various types of maps.
• Provides interactive opportunities for students to engage in current
topics through the use of Scholastic Digital Magazines.
SECOND GRADE
• Highlights the concepts of city, state, country, and world, with
emphasis on the seven continents of the globe.
• Continues instruction and learning of map skills.
• Focuses on the richness and diversity of different cultures through
our global education studies program.
• Uses blended learning opportunities by integrating innovation and
technology.
• Develops research skills through the study of the continents, in
collaborative partnerships.
THIRD GRADE
• Practices research skills through the study of Native Americans and
the fifty states; utilizes technology to create electronic publications.
• Highlights Native American cultures by region and U.S. geography,
including states and capitals.
• Teaches more challenging map skills, continents and oceans, and
topography.
17FOURTH GRADE
• Presents California geography, explorers, pioneers, and Spanish
settlers. Includes the study of Mission and Rancho Periods and the
Gold Rush.
• Focuses on California map skills and introduces the transcontinental
railroad, California’s diverse cultures, and current events.
• Studies the California missions.
• Integrates a simulation of a sailor journeying around Cape Horn with
the reading of Two Years Before the Mast and the field trip to Dana
Point, where students board a working replica of the Brig Pilgrim.
• Utilizes the following books: Patty Reed’s Doll, Two Years Before the
Mast and By the Great Horn Spoon.
FIFTH GRADE
• Continues to hone students’ map skills.
• Presents geography and political units of the United States.
• Focuses on American history, from the early explorers to the Civil
War era.
• Emphasizes historical figures, events, and trends.
• Incorporates skills such as note taking, outlining, debating, re-
enactments, simulations, interpretation of primary documents, and
collaboration.
Fifth Grade History Simulations
18REFERENCE AND STUDY SKILLS
• Third Grade students begin regular use of the dictionary and
thesaurus. In addition, students are introduced to note taking skills,
highlighting research from reference books, and skimming for
information. Students utilize technology to create various projects
and presentations.
• In Fourth Grade, students continue to gather information from
reference books and multimedia sources. In addition, students
practice note taking, outlining, making inferences, and using
context clues, and regularly utilize the dictionary and thesaurus.
Technology also plays an integral part of creativity and innovation.
• Fifth Graders continue their use of varied reference books, including
the dictionary and thesaurus. They work on reading with a purpose,
note taking, outlining, multimedia sources, and community
databases, while utilizing technology in various ways.
19ART
Art instruction takes place in studio style classrooms specifically designed
and equipped for our youngest children under the guidance of teachers
who themselves are specialists in fine arts.
Examples of Primary School Art
KINDERGARTEN
• Develops fine motor skills through drawing, painting, cutting,
pasting, and sculpture.
• Explores color, line, shape, pattern, collage, and three-dimensional
construction while creating projects.
• Uses materials such as watercolors, crayons, acrylic paints,
construction paper, and clay.
• Introduces and encourages the use of new vocabulary during art
appreciation discussions about artistic form and content in master
prints of art.
FIRST GRADE
• Continues to hone fine motor skills through drawing, cutting,
sculpture, and painting.
• Enhances and reinforces learning through integrated enrichment
projects.
• Explores media including chalk pastels, colored pencils, acrylic
paints, ink, and clay.
• Uses master prints to stimulate discussion about artistic style, form,
and content.
20SECOND GRADE
• Teaches a basic understanding of the color wheel, contour drawing,
line, form, and texture.
• Explores media, including oil pastels, crayon, bleeding art tissue,
fabric dye, watercolor, and clay.
• Identifies and explores terms “abstract,” “realistic,” and “non-
objective.”
• Uses master prints to stimulate discussion about artistic style, form,
and content.
THIRD GRADE
• Reinforces understanding of line, form, value, shape, space, texture,
and color.
• Discusses various artists and styles.
• Explores various media such as pastels, tempera, acrylic, watercolor,
and clay.
• Enhances and reinforces learning through integrated enrichment
projects, using literature connections with most units.
• Continues to explore the seven elements of art within student
compositions.
• Uses a variety of media and styles to connect art to global
experiences.
• Integrates a drawing project with a writing assignment to enhance the
learning experience.
FOURTH GRADE
• Continues to explore the seven elements of art within student
compositions.
• Uses a variety of media to connect art to global experiences.
• Integrates a drawing project with a writing assignment to enhance the
connection between words and art.
• Discusses various artists and styles.
21FIFTH GRADE
• Identifies and describes characteristics of representational, abstract,
and non representational works of art.
• Explores and describes the principles of design in visual
compositions, emphasizing unity and harmony.
• Concentrates on drawing with a variety of media: pastels, acrylics,
tempera, clay, prisma-color pencils, and found objects.
• Focuses on art appreciation in each unit.
• Utilizes literature and videos, and discusses master prints of the late
nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
• Uses the vocabulary of the visual arts to express observations.
Examples of Lower School Art
22LIBRARY
The Primary and Lower School Library offers regularly scheduled classes
in Kindergarten through Fifth Grades. Additionally, Fifth Grade is invited
to use the library at any time. The classes are designed to foster a love
of literacy. Students develop independent library and critical thinking
skills while utilizing a curriculum that integrates with classroom units.
Librarians support research projects through carefully selected online
databases and outstanding non-fiction. Browsing and independent
reading are encouraged, and students may visit the library during breaks
and at lunchtime.
Our collection of more than 10,000 books is diverse, current, and
carefully curated to enhance our children’s reading enjoyment. The library
is designed to maximize each student’s reading and research experience,
with casual seating areas and workspaces in a technologically rich
environment.
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Innovation Space
23INNOVATION SPACE
The Innovation Space provides Primary and Lower School students with
countless opportunities for collaboration, critical thinking, creativity,
and innovation. In this playful and empowering environment, students
explore their ideas, interests, and passions through the use of various
materials, tools, and the latest technology.
This enriching program promotes design thinking, learning by doing, and
both Do-It-Yourself and Do-It-Together projects. As students imagine,
create, and collaborate, they build a wide range of skills that will prepare
them for the challenges of the future. Discoveries and possibilities are
endless through making and creating in the Innovation Space.
TECHNOLOGY
The Primary and Lower Schools thoughtfully incorporate the use
of technology in all grades to support, extend, and enrich learning.
Teachers seamlessly integrate developmentally appropriate programs
and applications on iPads and MacBook Airs. Students gain proficiency
in various operating systems, including Apple and Windows, and they
are exposed to Linux through robotics and embedded computing. These
skills give students the ability to innovate using the latest technology.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
• Introduces specific terminology, as well as the importance of digital
citizenship and the correct use and care of digital devices.
• Introduces coding and robotics through block programming.
• Provides age appropriate and sequential lessons using iPads and
laptops.
• Introduces digital design using photography, video and platforms for
2D and 3D design.
• Uses applications and programs relevant to grade level subject areas.
• Promotes research on safe search sites.
• Differentiates learning for all students in processes and projects.
• Provides opportunities to collaborate and create, so students can
share what they have learned.
24LOWER SCHOOL
• Reinforces digital terminology and expands the focus on digital
citizenship by emphasizing responsible use of digital media and
online behavior.
• Teaches reference and research skills for use in student centered and
classroom projects.
• Initiates formal instruction of touch typing and expands the teaching
of coding (programming).
• Develops media awareness and emphasizes internet safety in the
course of ongoing learning. Provides expanded opportunities for
students to create and innovate.
• Explores emerging technologies such as augmented and virtual
realities and 3D design.
• Teaches digital movie making from the ground up.
25MUSIC
Talented instructors teach in music studios equipped with age appropriate
materials and instruments utilize two methodologies to bring musical
meaning to each child: the Kodály and Orff Methods. The Kodály Method,
founded by Hungarian composer and educator Zoltán Kodály, utilizes
folk songs and the solfège (solfeggio) system of hand signs and music
syllables to teach singing skills. The Orff Method, developed by German
composer Carl Orff, concentrates on the playing of pitched and non-
pitched percussion instruments, as the students use song, improvisation,
and movement to explore the many facets of music. Students also learn
an appreciation of musicians and composers who exhibit a wide variety
of musical styles. Music and instruments from many different cultures are
introduced.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
• Introduces musical concepts such as steady beat and rhythm, using
songs, chants, and rhythm games.
• Integrates movement with music, and improvisation on pitched and
non pitched percussion instruments.
• Introduces various fundamentals of music, vocalization, and sight
reading.
• Integrates unison and two-part songs and chants, folk dances, and
singing games.
• Focuses on beginning rhythmic dictation and expanded use of
pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments as accompaniment
to songs.
Music Time in the Primary School
26LOWER SCHOOL
• Reinforces proper singing techniques.
• Teaches partner songs and sequential music rhythms.
• Integrates music with movement and focuses on pitched and non-
pitched instruments.
• Introduces the soprano recorder and music on the treble clef staff.
• Continues choral music instruction and emphasizes the great
composers.
• Prepares students for formal instruction on a musical instrument.
Lower School Chorus performing at the Homecoming Game
FIFTH GRADE - GENERAL MUSIC
• Continues study of accurately reading and writing music notation.
• Focuses on the understanding of music concepts.
• Teaches music history and various composers from around the world.
• Emphasizes singing with proper vocal technique and correct
intonation.
• Performs as a choral group at the Holiday Program and Final
Assembly.
FIFTH GRADE - INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM
• Offers Beginning Band, Beginning Strings, or Advanced Strings for
students with prior string experience.
• Gives students the choice of violin, viola, cello, or bass, as part of the
Strings Program.
• Gives students the choice of brass, woodwind, or percussion
instruments, as part of the Beginning Band Program.
• Instrumental classes study and perform beginning- level literature,
with an emphasis on proper playing technique, tone, intonation,
balance, blend, and musicality.
• Fifth Graders perform several times throughout the year.
27MUSIC - EXTENDED CURRICULUM
STRINGS STUDY
• In First through Fourth Grades, Viewpoint offers an optional pro-
gram for students to receive Suzuki-method instruction on violin,
viola, or cello for an additional fee. This instruction takes place either
before or after school and requires parent participation. Arrange-
ments for Suzuki-method instruction are made separately with the
Music Department Chair. Students who achieve a certain level of
proficiency will be invited to join the Primo Orchestra.
• Traditional Strings study is also offered to Third and Fourth Grade
students for violin, viola, cello, or bass after school and does not
require parental participation. After one year, students may be invited
to join the Primo Orchestra. A fee is required for this program.
Primo Orchestra and Suzuki Strings
PRIMARY AND LOWER SCHOOL CHORUS
• Performs at several events and assemblies throughout the year.
• Primary School Chorus includes First and Second Graders.
• Lower School Chorus includes Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders.
28PHYSICAL EDUCATION
At Viewpoint School, we believe that daily physical activity plays a
meaningful role in our students’ lives. The School’s physical education
program enables students to discover their unique talents and to develop
their levels of fitness, self-assurance, and teamwork at all grade levels. Our
experienced and dedicated coaches teach fundamental skills and always
encourage good sportsmanship.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
• Focuses on fundamental locomotor skills: running, skipping,
jumping, coordination, body-spatial awareness activities, rhythmic
movements, tumbling, and identification of large muscle groups.
• Introduces aquatics skills, rope and hoop activities, and lead up
games in team sports.
• Emphasizes refinement of basic physical skills, and reinforces
fundamental concepts in team sports, recreational activities, and
essential aquatics skills.
Lower School Flag Football
LOWER SCHOOL
• Cultivates skills and strategies in team sports, strengthens aquatics
skills, and works on rhythmic movement.
• Focuses on strategies and position responsibilities in team sports in
intramural tournament activities.
• Encourages participation in Viewpoint’s vast interscholastic athletic
program, including flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball,
swimming, baseball, and softball (beginning in Fourth Grade).
• Highlights continued development in individual sports, team sports,
and, recreational activities.
29SCIENCE
Viewpoint’s science laboratories showcase hands on activities and
experiments, all of which provide a stimulating exposure to the physical,
earth, and life sciences. In the Primary and Lower School science labs,
tables and equipment are specifically designed to accommodate the
appropriate size and age of our students. Primary and Lower Schoolers
look forward to their lab time with dedicated science teachers. Class time
is spent both indoors and outdoors with special visits to our ECOLET,
an outdoor classroom. Each year students participate in two science
outreach workshops or interactive assemblies, as well as relevant field
trips to further enhance the curriculum.
KINDERGARTEN
• Teaches physical, earth, and life sciences.
• Introduces laboratory safety and equipment.
• Uses hands on experimentation to introduce states and changes
of matter, simple layers of the earth, magnetism, the solar system,
human anatomy, the five senses, and health and hygiene.
• Includes labs on states of matter, environmental science, and insect
study with a focus on butterflies.
FIRST GRADE
• Reinforces basic laboratory safety, scientific procedures, and proper
use of equipment.
• Uses hands on experimentation to introduce sinking and floating,
simple machines, and fossils and prehistoric animals.
• Includes labs on ocean life, tide pools, the kelp forest and sandy
shore, nutrition, dental health, plants, seeds, nocturnal animals, and
environmental science.
30
Cabrillo Science Visit to Primary and Lower SchoolSECOND GRADE
• Continues the study of general, physical, earth, and life sciences,
including units on laboratory volcanoes, color, and applied science.
• Uses hands on experimentation to introduce weather, water cycle,
geology, habitats, animal classification, microscopes, and deep sea
biology.
• Includes a culminating project of an animal research report, using the
iPad and PebbleGo application.
THIRD GRADE
• Introduces physical science and the scientific method through a study
of electricity and magnetism, with an emphasis on electrical circuits.
• Develops earth science understanding by focusing on earthquake
awareness, ecology, and ecosystems, with an emphasis on rain forest
and wetland environments.
• Teaches life science with a study of the human body’s skeletal,
muscular, circulatory, and respiratory systems.
• Introduces scientific classification by focusing on spiders and other
arthropods.
• Begins formal integration of scientific topics in literature study of
• Charlotte’s Web, The BFG, and James and the Giant Peach.
• Introduces dissections as an aid to study the form and function of
organisms.
Lower School Science
31FOURTH GRADE
• Studies the ocean, encompassing physical, earth, and life science
topics.
• Integrates scientific concepts with the Fourth Grade literature study
of Island of the Blue Dolphins.
• Includes a field trip to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, where
students study marine ecosystems on board an oceanographic vessel.
• Implements a unit on inventing, designing, and engineering to
prepare students to create their own project for the Science and
Engineering Expo.
• Enriches the chemistry unit as students conduct tap water testing,
study the water cycle, and learn about the Metropolitan Water
District water education and conservation program.
• Constructs and programs Lego NXT Mindstorm robots with an
ornithology focus.
FIFTH GRADE
• Provides a more sophisticated study and experimentation of static
and current electricity, magnetism, atomic structure, and introduces
the periodic table of elements.
• Enhances knowledge of the scientific method, the use of dichotomous
keys, metric measurement, and scientific tools when designing
experiments.
• Provides a study of the human body’s nervous and digestive systems
as part of the nutrition unit, and introduces human growth and
development.
• Highlights an astronomy unit which encompasses building and
programming VEX IQ robots with an in-depth focus on Mars
Landers and Rovers.
• Enriches real-life experience as students participate in a three-day
field trip to Astrocamp as a culmination of the Astronomy unit.
32WORLD LANGUAGE: FRENCH AND SPANISH
Primary and Lower School students enjoy becoming familiar with a
world language taught by articulate and proficient teachers in dedicated
language classrooms. Through the use of colorful props, games, toys,
technology, videos, music, pictures, and costumes to visually illustrate
the language, teachers instruct the students while incorporating many
strategies that support various learning styles. In an environment in
which the children will predominantly hear French or Spanish spoken
during class time, students develop skills and learn about different
cultures, giving them an expanded vision of the world.
At Viewpoint, the study of French and Spanish begins in Kindergarten
and may continue through Twelfth Grade. In First Grade, students will
elect to study French or Spanish. At the start of Middle School, they may
also choose to learn Latin and Mandarin Chinese.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
• Teaches language through play, songs, rhymes, coloring, technology,
movement, stories, and fairy tales.
• Builds vocabulary in areas such as colors, numbers, shapes, days
of the week, months, animals, food, clothing, family, sports, and
activities.
• Works on following oral directions and commands.
• Promotes listening and speaking skills through songs, poems, stories,
games, and role playing; builds everyday vocabulary for conversation;
introduces written language.
French in Primary School
33LOWER SCHOOL
• Focuses on the development of the four linguistic skills: listening,
speaking, reading, and writing.
• Emphasizes integrated curriculum, including cultural studies,
children’s literature, arithmetic, science, technology, art, and music,
supplemented with age appropriate videos and games.
• Integrates geography, technology, history, art, music, math, and
science in creative lessons; incorporates many different strategies
within a lesson to appeal to various learning styles.
• Enhances reading comprehension through the use of authentic texts.
• Enriches listening and speaking exercises with technology.
Lower School Spanish Performing in the World Language Assembly
34STUDENT LEARNING CENTER
Every child is unique in the way he or she develops and learns. To meet
the diverse needs of Viewpoint students, the Learning Center provides
additional support and enrichment in Reading, Writing, and Math. The
Learning Specialist:
• Collaborates with administrators and classroom teachers to identify
students’ individual needs.
• Evaluates students’ strengths and weaknesses.
• Co-teaches with teachers in the classroom.
• Works with children in small groups or individually.
• Provides personalized instruction, using research-based programs.
• Employs a variety of resources, including manipulative’s, technology,
graphic organizers, and other.
35ASSEMBLIES AND PERFORMANCES
Assemblies are a tradition at Viewpoint and represent an integral part of
the program in Primary and Lower Schools. This time of coming together
and sharing reinforces our community spirit and offers opportunities for
students to develop and practice their public speaking and performing
skills.
The Primary and Lower Schools conduct separate assemblies, with
a different class responsible for hosting and performing at each
event. The presenting classes share their contributions at both the
Primary and Lower School Assemblies, where traditions include the
Pledge of Allegiance, a patriotic song, the school’s alma mater, and
nondenominational school prayer, as well as remarks from the Divisional
Head and Head of School.
In addition, classes responsible for hosting and contributing prepare
with their teachers to share skits, songs, dances, poetry, or inspirational
readings, all incorporated within the theme of each particular assembly.
The youngest children quickly become comfortable speaking and making
presentations to an audience of their peers, teachers, and parents. This
presence on stage builds confidence in even our youngest students. In
addition, students learn the protocol and value of being an engaged
audience and show appreciation for the performers’ hard work and
preparation. As a sign of respect for these important community events,
students wear assembly-dress uniforms.
First Grade hosting an Assembly
36ANNUAL PERFORMANCES INCLUDE
Kindergarten
The Little Engine
First Grade
The Little Fir Tree
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Second Grade
The Wizard of Oz
A Rainbow of Character Final Assembly
Third Grade
Once Upon a Time, a journey through fairy tales.
Fourth Grade
California Fiesta, highlighting the Fourth Grade social studies
curriculum.
Fifth Grade
Final Assembly, a presentation drawing from all academic and
enrichment subjects throughout students’ experiences at Viewpoint.
Both Primary and Lower School
Great Pumpkin Day and The Holiday Program
Third Grade - Once Upon a Time
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade - Great Pumpkin Day Second Grade - Wizard of Oz
37AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
AFTER SCHOOL CHORUS
Primary and Lower School Choruses are offered to all First through Fifth
Grade students. Detailed information about After School Chorus is sent
home shortly after the start of the school year. A variety of musical pieces
are taught and students have opportunities to perform at multiple events.
AFTER SCHOOL DANCE PROGRAM
The After School Dance Program is offered to students enrolled in
First through Fifth Grades. Participants have the opportunity to learn
basic ballet technique and terminology. The program emphasizes proper
body placement, taught with barre and floor exercises appropriate to the
dancer’s skill level. In addition, the class uses music written by composers
currently being studied in the Music Program. Participants have
opportunities to perform at multiple events.
AFTER SCHOOL GENERAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Viewpoint School offers a program of after school activities to all students
in Primary and Lower Schools beginning the first full week of school. The
classes may include karate, science, chess, music, and sports. Classes
vary and will be available provided there is sufficient enrollment. There
is an additional fee for these activities. For additional information
on specific programs offered, go to campscui.active.com/orgs/
ViewpointEducationalFoundation
STRINGS STUDY
Refer to page 28.
38SUMMER READING CLUB
KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FOURTH GRADE
We encourage all students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade to
participate in Mr. McKee’s Summer Reading Club. This is a wonderful
way to strengthen reading skills during the summer. Summer reading
packets are provided at each grade level to guide summer reading
selections. Completed cards should be sent to the Divisional Offices prior
to the beginning of school. In September, those students who participated
in the Summer Reading Club will be recognized.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM - FIFTH GRADE
Students entering Fifth Grade must read a minimum of two books from
the list below. At the start of school, students should be prepared to write
or speak about their reading selections. For students who choose to read
a total of three books or more, the School will recognize their efforts in
September as participants in the Summer Reading Club.
Required Book:
Out of my Mind, by Sharon Draper
Students must select one book from the following list:
The Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
Wonder, by R. J. Palacio
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O’Brien
Fish in a Tree, by Linda Mullaly Hunt
Bigger Than a Bread Box, by Laurel Snyder
The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan
The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate
The Iron Trial, by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
39ACCREDITATION
Viewpoint is fully accredited by the California Association of
Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC). Viewpoint holds memberships in the National
Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Cum Laude Society, A
Better Chance, National Association for College Admission Counseling,
National Association of Secondary School Principals, National
Association of Principals of Schools for Girls, Council for Spiritual
and Ethical Education, Council for the Advancement and Support of
Education, College Board, Educational Records Bureau, International
Reading Association, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development.
Viewpoint School admits students of any race, color, gender, religion, or
national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and
activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender,
religion, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational
policies, admission and tuition assistance policies, and athletic and other
School-administered programs.
40You can also read
